How to remove inner door handle cover

[Ph3n0m427]

So ive searched how to remove the handle cover off the door panel. My handle cover started to chip and turn black, from what it looked like mine came silver cuz its a limited so i wanted to repair it. Below is the steps on how to remove the cover, some people thought it was glued on but actually its just clipped on. Its best if you have a panel/trim tool removal kit which can be picked up at Harbor Freight or check the auto parts store like Pep Boys.

First you will need to remove the armrest pad

Then remove the screw thats holding the door panel on the door, after thats done use a panel removal tool and slide it under the handle cover

Then lift that corner up and pull towards you till the screw portion comes loose

Now you will need to remove the panel and behind the panel you will see a screw that you will need to remove

After removing that screw, you can wiggle the cover loose by pulling straight up

 

[bobzworld]

Wheres the pictures!? anyone else done this?

 

[Ceva1]

[MENTION=106344]Ph3n0m427[/MENTION] Could you repost or email the pictures. I would love to get these handle covers out to either paint them or wrap them. Thanks!

 

[sigepbiker]

[MENTION=106344]Ph3n0m427[/MENTION] Could you repost or email the pictures. I would love to get these handle covers out to either paint them or wrap them. Thanks!

Check out this thread and pictures:
Idiots guide to door panel removal 4th Gen

 

[86scotty]

Thanks for the link!

:cheers:

 

[DRO-T4R]

Sorry about the thread dredge, but I'm trying to figure out how to get these interior door handle covers off. But i can't see the pictures in this thread, and the other thread linked above isn't really helping me much either.

Does anyone know how to get these suckers off without damaging anything?

 

[DRO-T4R]

Never mind. I started pulling things apart and it was pretty simple. In case anyone else can benefit from this, if you want to remove the plastic interior door handle covers (at least on a 2007 Limited):

Both ends of the plastic cover are secured to the door panel by screws. There is no adhesive involved. The rear screw is easily accessed by just pulling off the armrest pad. (Just tug up on the armrest to remove it.)

To access the front screw, you have to remove the door panel, and unscrew from the back side. Once both screws are out, you can pull straight up on the plastic cover to unhook a few tabs and you're done.

Once I knew what was going on in there, I was able to remove a handle, vinyl-wrap it and re-install it in about 25-30 minutes.

 

[swerks]

I have a 2005 4runner I followed the instruction here but I am still unable to remove that handle cover, any suggestions ??? pics would be helpful

 

[y=mx+b]

I have a 2005 4runner I followed the instruction here but I am still unable to remove that handle cover, any suggestions ??? pics would be helpful

I haven't replaced that handle before, but I do have a door lock actuator replacement tutorial that shows the rear screw and how to remove the door panel to get to where others say the front screw is located. I didn't get a good look at the inside of the door panel, so I don't know exactly where the handle's front screw is located.

4th Gen Door Lock Actuator Replacement: Step by Step with Pictures

There are 2 screws needed to remove the panel. See my writeup for more info, but these are the panel screw locations. Hopefully this combined with the other poster's linked thread is helpful, or at least gets you in the right direction!

 

[swerks]

I got the door panel off easy but that handle cover wont come off. I pryed on it with a screw driver to the point I was afraid I would break it. I need to for sure identify the screw on the inside of the panel to remove

 

[y=mx+b]

I got the door panel off easy but that handle cover wont come off. I pryed on it with a screw driver to the point I was afraid I would break it. I need to for sure identify the screw on the inside of the panel to remove

Gotcha. I haven't removed that handle before, so unfortunately I'm not much help. Good luck with the removal and update us on the solution!

 

[swerks]

So, after more research Im giving up on getting this off unless someone posts up a more definitive guide to getting this thing off. I am going to look into possibly wrapping the handle with paracord. I will keep you updated